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January 18, 2019 was another day
to celebrate the existence of the institution to each resident at the Haven for
Children. This day marked a momentous milestone as the Center reached its 15
years of providing healing and empowerment to former street children 13 years old
and below who are exposed and recovering from substance abuse.

As the program continues, Mr. Benedict R. Son, a former Haven for Children resident shared his heart-warming success story. He was a street dweller, scavenger and a child with lots of vices. He was reached-out and brought to the Center and was given hope to change his life in order to achieve his dreams. He was separated from his parents and siblings when their house was struck by fire. Ben also confessed on his hardships and struggles upon starting his new life inside the institution. He never wanted to study and even show his rude attitude towards his co-residents and his social workers however; the center’s staff never stops caring about him and always ensure that he feels the utmost love and belonging. That is the time that Ben learned to value the people around him. Endless gratitude to his teachers, medical staff, house parents and social workers was offered by Ben.

Ben finally realized that he
wanted to pursue his dreams and continue his secondary studies under the
Alternative Learning System (ALS). He practiced welding in guidance and support
from the Brothers of Christ of Banneux, Incorporated, one of HFC’s partner/donor.
With his skills and talent, he was given the TESDA National Certificate for
Shielded Metal Arc Welding.

“Haven for children would not be successful in carrying out its mandate without the undying support of our dear partners and sponsors who always share their blessings to our children,” Taleño said after the plaques of appreciation were awarded to all the partners such as BPI-Alabang Muntinlupa, De La Salle Zobel, JCI Alabang, Jose Fabella Memorial School, Rotary Club of Manila, Catholic Women’s League, Victory Church, UST- JHS and among others.

Shortly after recognizing the partners, the center’s staff were also awarded for their hard work, dedication and commitment in providing efficient and responsible service to the children. Some of the awards include Best MOA staff, Houseparent of the Year, Best Admin staff, Best Technical staff, Best Social Worker, Best Supervisor, Best Special Education Teacher and Best Security Guard.

Awarding of Plaque of Appreciation to donors and partners of Haven for Children

The program ended with the
intermission/song number sang by the children from Haven for Children to show how
grateful they are to the institution, donors and partners who gave them light
to start anew. As they pass through their journey, they gave their full
commitment to study hard to fulfil their dreams and be the person they want to
be.

Truly, Haven for Children is a
home of dreams and hope for the children.###

Arlene Escosa is
a Pantawid Pamilya Program beneficiary since 2012. She is a wife and a mother
of three (3) kids. Described by her neighbors as bubbly and talented, the
former member of the Universal Group dancers was chosen by her community to
represent Barangay 54, Pasay City in a pageant-like recognition for the mother
beneficiaries of Pantawid. She did not fail them as she bagged two (2) crowns,
namely Ginang Pantawid Pamilya of Pasay
2017 at the same time, Ginang
Pantawid Pamilya of the National Capital Region (NCR).

Ginang Pantawid Pamilya is
a nationwide search for Pantawid Pamilyang mothers who embody a responsible
parent in compliance with the program’s conditionalities and active community
involvement.

“Tinupad ng Pantawid ang pangarap kong maging
beauty queen,” Arlene emphasized when asked on how the program helped her
reach her childhood dream of becoming a beauty queen. She said that it is more
than what she wished for, because she was recognized not just a woman but as a
wife and a mother too. She added that her crown motivated her to continue to be
a good mother to inspire other mothers and serve as a good example.

Arlene was an
assistant of her mother-in-law’s Almusalan
(eatery) before she was included as a Pantawid beneficiary. Married to Daniel,
things got even financially rough within their household when her husband lost
his job as a messenger.

She said that
Pantawid helped them cope with their financial challenges and provide for their
children’s health and educational needs. Her eldest daughter is now graduating
for Grade 12.

Last year, she inherited the Almusalan business of her mother-in-law. She said that her learning in financial management through Pantawid Pamilya Program inspired her to get involved in the business and thanks to her mother-in-law, she was able to apply it. She serves meals such as fried rice, fried rice, champorado, sopas, spaghetti, hotdogs and egg as early as five o’clock in the morning with prices ranging from ten to twenty pesos. Students and employees who have no time to prepare their meals are her usual customers. Her husband helps her cook and set up. Her victory in Ginang Pantawid Pamilya also served as a promotion of her small business. Her relatives even contributed for a small tarpaulin with a picture of her crowning moment. She posted it as her store’s background and attracted more customers – even those living outside their streets were intrigued and encouraged to buy her meals. Now, even with the absence of the tarpaulin which was ruined by an unfavorable weather, she maintained loyal customers because of her good food and bubbly personality.

In Promoting
Women’s Rights

With pride,
Arlene emphasized that her husband’s undying support in whatever she wishes to
do including joining the search for Ginang
Pantawid, might be a cliché but Daniel said the secret to a happy marriage
is to support your partner, “Kung sa’n
siya masaya, susuportahan ko s’ya. Kaya meron kaming forever.”

Arlene said that
the support given by her husband is essential to promote the rights of the
women as it made her feel respected. “Nirerespeto
niya ako. Pinapahalagahan niya ako. Sinusuportahan niya ako. Mas nagiging
magandang halimbawa sa iba,” said Arlene.

She emphasized
that the title of Ginang Pantawid Pamilya
plays a vital role in becoming a role model to everyone to become a good and
responsible mother and wife. For her, it enables her to walk the talk; to act
on what she learned. The crown also brings responsibility that Arlene is happy to
undertake which is the continuous promotion of women’s rights.

Arlene committed
to embrace the title as well as the responsibilities accompanied to it. ###

The Department of Social
Welfare and Development – National Capital Region (DSWD NCR) established partnership through signing of the Memorandum of Agreement with the Department of
Science and Technology – National Capital Region (DOST-NCR) which aims to prioritize the less advantaged for their
Community Empowerment through Science and Technology (CEST) Program held on December 28, 2018 at DOST-NCR Conference Room.

DOST-NCR promotes and implements DOST’s program and services in Metropolitan Manila. The agency conducts technology transfer, and trainings and technical advisory and consultancy services to micro, small and medium enterprises, Local Government Units, the Academe and Non-Government Organizations. The signed MOA will help them to identify communities that need assistance to improve and widen the community empowerment.

“On behalf of
our Regional Director, we are glad to share the Listahanan 2 Database for the
benefit of the CEST communities and other programs of DOST to enhance
productivity and competitiveness of each family,” Mr.
Michael S. Mercado, Information Technology Officer II of National Household
Targeting Unit emphasized.

The DSWD NCR through the
National Household Targeting Unit continuously advocate the use of Listahanan 2
database to the potential social protection stakeholders.

In celebration of the 26th National Children’s Month (NCM), the Department
of Social Welfare and Development National Capital Region (DSWD NCR) through
the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program conducted the Children’s Festival 2018
at Icon Hotel Timog, Quezon City on December 8-9, 2018.

Around 120 children beneficiaries from the 17 Local Government Units in the
region participated in the event focused on the theme: “Bata, Magkaisa Tungo sa
Bayang Mapagkalinga.” During the activity, participants tackled how they could
attain a bayang mapagkalinga: a
nation that gives children the freedom to express their feelings and thoughts
and recognizes their rights.

The theme also focuses on children beneficiaries defining a “safe space”
for children in the community. This coincides with the Council for the Welfare
of Children’s (CWC) NCM theme, “Isulong: Tamang Pag-aaruga para sa
Lahat ng Bata” with a call on children’s participation and unity by using the
word magkaisa, and widening the perspective on proper care for children by
incorporating the concept of a bayang
mapagkalinga.

Participants showcased their talent in singing, acting, spoken poetry, and visual
arts through presentations that highlighted the event’s theme.

Children were also educated about the importance of CyberSafety and learned
tips on how to safely navigate the internet. They were also informed about the
key issues on CyberSafety ranging from Cyberbullying to Online Chatting, Online
Gaming, and Online Pornography.

The advocacy campaign by DSWD’s
partner government agency, the Department of Education (DepEd) and Stairway
Foundation Inc. was launched in recognition of an urgent need to protect and
guide children in their use of the internet. It also addresses the need to
protect Filipino children from cyberbullying and online child abuse. ###

Secretary of DSWD and Chairperson of Council of the Welfare of Children Rolando Bautista, President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea awards the 2017 Presidential Award for Child-Friendly Municipalities and Cities (PACFMC) Highly Urbanized City Category trophy to the Local Government Unit of Mandaluyong City, National Capital Region.

Mandaluyong
City was awarded as Highly Urbanized City during the 2017 Presidential Award
for the Child-Friendly Municipalities and Cities (PACFMC) held on December 5,
2018 at Malacañang Palace. The prestigious award was received by City Mayor
Carmelita “Menchie” Abalos together with the Regional Council for the Welfare
of Children-NCR.

The
PACFMC is an annual undertaking spearheaded by the Council for the Welfare of
Children (CWC) in accordance with Executive Order No. 184 entitled “Establishing the Presidential Award for the
Child-Friendly Municipalities and Cities” issued on December 13, 1999. It
forms part of the government’s measure to give recognition to the efforts of
LGU in promoting the welfare and rights of children, development, protection,
and participation as well as ensuring child-friendly governance.

The
conferment ceremony was led by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Secretary of
the Department of Social Welfare and Development and Chairperson of the CWC, Rolando
Bautista. PACFMC was attended by the officials in various government agencies
and offices like the Philippine National Police, Department of Justice,
Department of the Interior and Local Government and awardees of Local
Government Units from different Regions.

Secretary
Bautista welcomed all the awardees and encouraged them on his message, “The Herculean challenges which lie ahead of
us will remain but continuous service na may tapang at malasakit will help us
overcome these challenges especially for our children and our children’s
children sake.”

Bautista
explained the mechanics andprocesses
of how the Committee selected the Regional and National winners of the PACFMC.

Thereafter,
the awardees were called one-by-one for the awarding of plaques of recognition
to the National Finalists of the PACFMC and awarding of Presidential Trophies
to the National Awardees.

“As our children are the
country’s future, be assured that this administration will do everything to
protect them from violence, abuse, criminality, illegal drugs, and other
threats to their safety and well-being”, President Duterte said.###

Attendees of the World AIDS Day event gather together at the DSWD-NCR Field Office grounds. World AIDS Day aims to spread awareness on HIV/AIDS and to show support for PLHIV.

DSWD NCR joined
in the observation of World AIDS Day on December 4, 2018 at the Field Office
Grounds. World AIDS Day is a chance for people worldwide to unite in the fight
against HIV, support people living with HIV and to commemorate those who have
died from AIDS-related illnesses.

During the
activity, several People Living with HIV (PLHIV) shared their stories and
experiences to bring further awareness on the HIV epidemic. One of those who
spoke during the event is Barbie, who recounted how they first found out that
they were HIV positive and how they faced the challenges of living with HIV.

Aside from
recounting the stories of PLHIV, representatives from organizations that are
also part of the fight against HIV and AIDS such as Project Red Ribbon and
Positive Action Foundation Philippines, Inc. (PAFPI) also spoke during the
event to reiterate their mission to continue to support PLHIV in the
Philippines and to fight for HIV and AIDS prevention.

Ms. Hazel
Militante, Division Chief of the DSWD NCR Protective Service Division,
reiterated the Department’s continuous support for People Living with HIV and
in the fight to prevent the HIV and AIDS epidemic.

To close the
activity, all the event participants formed an HIV awareness ribbon on the DSWD
grounds using balloons which they released to the sky afterwards. ###

Justin Dale
O. Dela Cruz from the National Capital Region bagged the 3rd runner-up award in
the Pantawid Pamilya National Search for
Exemplary Children on December 1, 2018 during the celebration of the “Araw ng
Kabataan” held at SM North Skydome.

At a young
age, Justin, a 4Ps child beneficiary from Malabon City, has experienced several
hardships in life. Despite his mother’s passing
in 2014 due to rheumatic heart disease, he continues to maintains his positive
outlook in life. Justin is passionate about helping his community and wants to
become a policeman or fireman.

The title of Pantawid Pamilya National Exemplary Child 2018 was awarded to Jay Mark C. Gac-ang, who represented Region X. Meanwhile, Ma. Kaitlinn Cayne S. Lubrico from Region 6 was declared as the first runner-up. Kristine Nicole S. Bumadilla from Region 1 placed second runner-up in the competition while Adeli D. Tan of MIMAROPA won 4th runner-up. The finalists, who bested 12 other candidates from different parts of the Philippines, received respective cash prizes and plaques.

Since 2012, the Search for
Exemplary Pantawid Pamilya Children recognizes children beneficiaries of the program who set
excellent examples at home, in school, and in the community where they belong.

He also emphasized the positive impact of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program. “By empowering children and their families through 4Ps, these children are able to realize their potential, develop self esteem, value themselves, become capable, wholesome, productive, respectful, loving, resilient, confident and well-adjusted human beings.”###